^ Ol^V\ (,3. rV ^ lA- 



P , f U ^ <^-^^ 'V £= / '^ ^ " -le'-^^-^ 



\s 



.aT- 






PRE-HISTORIC 



ROMANZA. 



Flore/icejfarpenten Dieudonm. Inv^.f^-^^ 



1882. 



MA V 3a. «. 



TnK Falls Piuntixg Company, 
Mtnxkapolis, Minx. 



/ 



PREFACE. 

Baldwin describes to us a wonderful "Extinct Kace." 
whose cities were in ruins before Egypt was inhabited; 
wiiose wealtli and splendor surpassed all modern concep- 
tion; whose commerce reached the farthest parts of the 
earth. 

These people built walled lakes in chains with locks, 
and one could b}^ this means literally tioat up hill. 

They worshiped serpents, with awful rites; and their 
temples were hewn from mountain sides. Tlie nwsterious 
cave of Ehphxnifti is regarded liy mar.y as ( no of these 
temples. 



-«-|gHi«*8- 






COPYRIGHT, 1882, BY F. C. D. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



A PRE-HISTORIC ROMANZA, 



FLORENCE CARPENTER DIEUDONNE 



As 1 read, on Fancy's pinions 
Fled my soul into the Past, 
Where in misty blue dominions 
Of the Mind, unchained at last 
From all strong, prosaic fetters, 
Bound by nothing surely known, 
I could weave Romance. My actors 
Dead ten thousand years agone. 



SCENE, 
Mountain Isle the sea doth sever 

By the foamy blue waves, ever 
Whitening o'er its rocks, and never 

Calmly sleeping on the shore. 
Fair, a city on the mountain. 

Columns, spires and domes abounding 
O'er wiiite walls, where dash the fountains, 

Hastening to the sea once more. 



ROMANZA. 

Terraced lakes iu walls of hewn stone 

From the shore to where the black dome 
Gloomed, mid clouds whose soft illusion 

Veiled the sunny ri}3ples o'er. 
B}' tlie stair of lakes the greening 

Of the forest, scarcely screening 
With its giant houghs, the gleaming 

Of the palace's high tower. 

From the rock- built shelves drooped l)ower3 

Flushed with crimson veil of flowers 
lliches, stolen by orient hours. 

From the ambient } ellow air. 
All the marts of commerce settled 

On the edge of water fettered 
By the dykes all bright and checkered 

With tlie crafts at anchor there. 
In the harbor, ships of glory 

Whose adornments, like the story 
Of a dream would seem before ye, 

Should I write them for you here. 

Bright from all the masts fly ribbons. 

The great hulls are wedged and driven 
Through with gilded bolts and riven 

O'er with cumbrous brassy gear. 

All adorned with hues and gilding, 
On the deck a mammoth building 

With a curtain -hid pavillion 

Caught with ropes of beads and gold. 

Sails of many quaint designings 



IWMANZA. 

Are upheld; with gay refinings, 
Stripes — and red and purple linings 
Blown about by breezes cold. 

THE QUEEN. 

Niglit, IS nearing, o'er the water 

Vaprous sheen 
Leads to orange clouds, the altar 

Of Night's queen. 

In commotion, merry darkling 

Billows dance 
To Night's portal, faintly marks of 

Glowings glance. 
'Neath the golden banded pillars 

Is a door. 
Fret with gems, strong hinged with silver 

Jewelled o'er. 

Leads this to ambrosial hallways 

Burnished bright. 
Ceilings flash with precious riches 

In dim light. 

On each side the waving graces 

Of the palms 
And soft fragrance of the spices 

All embalms. 
O'er the marble, blocked and shaded, 

Shawls are spread 
Wrought with many hues and braided 

Thick with red. 



ROMANZA. 

Silent, through the isles so dreamy, 

Stately, dark, 
Robed in trailing tissues sheenj-, 

Beaut}'^ walks. 

On her oval cheek glows deepl}' 

Angry red 
Haughty is the queenly poising 

Of her head. 

Down among the amber glinting 

Of her hair 
Is entwined the sapphire tinting, 

Fastened there 

O'er her rounded arms. Arms olive 

Of the East. 
Netted diamonds cut and polished 

Are atwist. 

On her feet are bound the sandals 

Odorous. 
Captive is the Queen — b}^ vandals 

Infamous. 

At each open door there waited 
Watching slaves. 

Passing these. There was no haven 
But the waves. 

THE PRIEST. 
Into the hall where the dusk was crept, 
Silent, as hushed were the buds that slept. 
Hid in, the vining's emerald net. 



ROMAKZA. 7 

Entered the priest of the serpent god. 
Watched he his captive, with no word. 
Flashed his dark eye with triumph rude. 
Wrapped was the priest in cloth of gold. 
Veiled was his head, and there behold 
A cone of gems, of worth untold. 
Cruel his face. And on his beard 
Was woven a veil of jeweled thread, 
Which almost the raven curlings hid. 

"Speak maid, so fair Is thy heart yet stone? 
Come to the Temfjle. The Gods atone 
Now, lest thy crimes bring judgment on!" 

Like the vain dread of some haunted fawn 
Answered the eyes, but the priest's sfern frown 
Gave her no hope should her prayei be known. 

"Yes I will go, to those gods accursed. 
If they have power, O, hear they must 
What I shall ask. In their help I trust." 

Echoed the stone halls with a laugh 
So fierce and chill with cruel wrath 
It seemed to come from the demon's path. 

Slaves wrapped the captive in raiment black 
Veiled her face, and a priestly casque 
Put on her head. Thus hid, she passed 
Into the streets. 

Into strange streets! The stone walls cut, 
Gleamed in the chapel, all richly wrought 



ROMANZA. 
Over with marbles. Slow they walked. 

Arches upheld by co umns grand, 

On either side in beauty stand, 

While over their heads a crimson sheet 

Shut out the dews, and the sun's dread heat. 

Blazes of flames in colors green, 
Lighted the way. Entranced the ear 
Melodies sweet, of music's note 
Perfumed the air. Across the moat, 
Over a bridge of bronze, afloat, 
Slow these walked. 

Crowds filled the road. The scene was gay. 
Chariots of brass rolled on the w\ay, 
Draped with soft curtains decked in lines, 
Cars set with silver, crimson and blue, 
Horses whose trappings all were glass, 
Glistened in rainbow tints as they passed. 
N"ow at their side there t^tood to wail 
The carriage to bear this honored freight. 
The priest in his rol)es (and the captive too ) 
To the serpenfs altar, the gods to woo. 
Clad were the steeds, in gold all dressed; 
Emeralds gleamed on their helmet crest. 
Over each hoof was a jewelled band 
Their manes were braided in gem-set strands. 
Over each head hung a l)right red bell, 
And loops of gold from their white ears fell. 
The sides of the chariot white with pearls, 
The cloth over hanging as foam unfurls. 



ROMA]\'ZA. 

Was opal sheen with gilded fringe 

Where green and red in the web were tinged. 

Golden the floor and linings were 

Under a perfumed snowy fur. 

Brought from the North, mysterious far. 

Sleeping in snow 'neath Uie Polar Star. 

Vases of Lapsus Lazuli 
Rose from the pearly sides. 
Gorgeous blossoms beaut eously 
Drooped there in rosy pride. 

A fount of crystalline design 

Rose in the center tall 
And richest perfiune, melitluous showers 

Sprinkled about on all. 

Over the raised and broad highway 

Out to the temple cave 
The Queen disguised and silent rode 

Hopeless of help to save. 

Into that vast and dark retreat 

Cut in the solid rock 
By hewn out, devious, hidden ways 

They reached the altar's block. 

Over the carved and awful forms 

riolding the temple roof. 
Just then, the moon in whitest glow 

Wrought mystic and misty woof 
Veiling in shadows deep and dread. 

People, and forest and wall. 



10 EOMANZA 

Lighting but faint, in freakish glow, 

Changing to }3hantoms all. 
Seated on steps of rock, so still, 

Silent in gown and hood 
AVaitcd the witches. Forty there 

Guarding the altar's food. 
Horrid their faces; beauty lost 

In forming hideous masks ( * ) 
Varied as taste or freak, or hate 

Had seasoned the cruel task. 
Long white strands of untied hair 

Fell o'er their blood red gowns. 
Wrinkled and V-are their veinous arms 

Gleamed like sonic skinless bones. 
Then from the stone pedestals rose 

Just at the statues' foot . 
Flames of the bluest tire, and Night 

Fled from the beam's pursuit. 
About the altar, raised above 

The many stone cut stairs, 
Stood with their emblems all the priests, 

Mumbling incanting prayers. 
Over their heads, in gorgeous tlirone 

Held from the roof above, 
Coiled was a giant golden snake. 

God of the heathen's love. 



* (Note — These were unfortunate and friendless beings who 
were purposely deformed and distorted in feature for use as altar 
slaves.) 



E03IANZA. n 

'Neatli liiin I hick clouds of incctise rose 

Dimming his dazzling might 
That fatal not to human e^es, 

Might 1)C the blazing sight 
Of Deity. Nor fall awrithe 

And shrink and faint an die. 
For such the foretold fate of those 

Who looked with unveiled eye. 

Yellow and liKie. atid gray ;ind white 

All on the altar !)urn 
And every decked ofllcial priest 

To shimmering god did turn. 

All of the priests wore gokien robes. 

Noble and high their mein 
I^readful the contrast as they towered 

Above the witches clan. 

Then while the-sluinbious incense )o.se 

lieacdied forth the statues' hands, 
Stretched o'er the heads of the multitudes 

Holding huge llery brands. 

Wild rose the cry of teiior then. 

But changed to a whispered i)rayer 
For there at the altar stood that one 

Whose look could cabn their fear. 

Over his .shininir robe was donned 

A mantle .>f dazzJmg gems. 
A veil of jewels fell about 

From blazing diadem. 



ROMANZA. 

Like fabled god be stood, unreal, 

As thing from heaven borne 
And round him, from some bidden lamp, 

A weried light was thrown. 
In silent hush the cries had gone, 

And to a maze of words 
The people listened. When amazed, 

They looked on "Gift of Gods " 

THE GIFT. 

Down from the roof in 'wildering cloud 

Sank an etherial throne 
(Woven of glass and silver hung) 

Hidden neath blossoms blown, 
Quivering, shaken by every breath, 

(Formed of tine crj^stal threads) 
Crusted again with jewels fair. 
Dotted with serpent's heads. , 

Rising in irridiscent sheen 

Out of the depths of flowers. 

Slowly the blossoms fell aside. 

See! Pillowed on rose-hued gauze 

With eyes aflame and face hke wax, 
A statute rare! like stone. 

Reclining moveless, strange and dead 
* The captive queen was shown. 

Bursting from every side sprang flres 

Off from the heads of gods 
Fluttered white doves- Wild trills of joy 

Freighted the air, as birds 



ROMANZA. 

Sino-ing unseen. While on the floor 

Gathering about the throne 
iS^umberless hideous serpents writhed 

Over the lighted stone. 

"Welcome to thee, wliom gods have sent 
Down from the rolling moon 

Answered to offered gifts," said priests — 
''From ciods.'"" the people moan. 

"Haste thee, my treasure, out of sight, 

Sacred as serpents are 
Shut from the blight of Earth's cold night, 

Lest harm should come to her." 

AVith flash Jind jar the walls seemed rent, 

A brightness, like the sun 
Dazzled their eyes: Revealed one glimpse 

Of floating, starry throne. 

In this red glare the car was lost. 

Darkness! Then blind, in fear, 
The gazers groped, till Night, with shade 

Made them again see clear, 

In light of moon. Nor dreamed that 
Drugs and chains had stilled 

The beauteous statute, nor that springs 
And slaves (made dumb) had filled 

The air with flames. That song of birds 
Had l)ut been cunning reeds! 

That of all lost in woe, or crushed 
With .soul-distracting needs 



14 KOMAJS'ZA. 

For human help or friends, or cheer 

Of words from one kind heart 
Was she, in shiidderina^ horror hid 

"Within dark caves apart. 

THE QUEEN'S PRAYER. 
"O, for one free and wandering breath 

Of wind from ocean's breast, 
To kiss the aching maze away 

From pained brain. To rest, 
One moment! All ahmc to flee 

To garden's cool and still. 
Freed from that mjstic man, 

Away from his chilling smile." 

"O, THAT THE SUX." 
Stern as tlie Fates 
His cruel will, 
Bound her his prey. 

Breathless with rage, 
One brought to bay. 
Lost to despair, 

Was sIjc that day." 
O, that the sun, 
Deadly and fast. 
Would send to the earth 
His fire to blast. (*) 
That those firm rocks 

(NoTK— Superstition lanirht tlr^m that the liirlitiiirvf' wasasliat= 
fcred beam of the snn .) 



liO.yrANZA, ID 

Shatter and break 
Opening a door 
For her soul's sake. 

J>ut no. The chariot 
Burnislied and brijiht, 
Back to the palace 
Carried its freight. 

THE QUEEN'S PRISON. 

Under the blossoms, poisoned to her, 

into a prison, blazoned for her 

With walls of bright metals, deep set in jet, 

Sandal- wood pavement, amber inset 

Shining mosaic and statues of gtass. 

'Neath pearls, shells and roses 

Chains and locks clashed. 

Viols and gold harps, jewelled and decked 

With wealth of a kingdom on them intiecked. 

Curtains of y til low, orange and red, 

Cushions of broidery for her crazed head. 

Caskets and tripods, urns filled with spices, 

Baskets with rare fruit, fountains and ices. 

But, 
Abject and mute crouched at those doors, 
(Doors so accursed,) knelt the scourged slave 
Watching like dogs and like dogs in dread 
Lest she escape. Lest she be saved, 

THE BIKD. 
For their eyes, 



16 ROMANZA. 

Eager gazing, 
Cared she not, 

In her brain, 

Madly crazing, 
Pride was not. 

Nor for foe, 

Nor for captor 
Recked she now. 

To the ground, 
In her horror 
Doth she bow. 

Only mirth 

Met her sorrow 
And she heard 

Midst the leaves, 
The low whistle 
Of a bird, 

Bringing back — 
As a vision, 
Other time, 

When in Joy 

She had dwelt 
In other clime. 

Conquered now — 
Made a subject, 
Made a slave! 



nOMANZA, 17 

All the Avealth 
Of her empire 
Could not save. 

Still if Death 

Would but answer 
To her cal! 

<Tladly would she 
To his keeping 
Yield her soul, 

*' Wretched bird! 

Cease tiiy whisi^er — 
O, my heait — 

JSle'er recall, 

It is lost us, 
Breaking heart,'"' 

"'Cruel birdl 

O, where are yon. 
That you sing? 

Do you tell me 
1 am stolen, 
Captive thing!" 

At the foot 

Of a column 
Was a slave. 

And she stopped 
At the thrilling- 
Look lie gave. 



18 ROMANZA. 

For liis eye, 

Black and piercing, 
Watched her so. 

That she paused — 

Thinking, vaguely, 
Wh}^ ' twas so 

When she saw~ 

In the iiiaving 
Of hu lips. 

Was the song 

Of that birdling 
That had lisped. 

Then a thought 

Flashed like Heaven 
To her heart. 

Was it slave ? 

Was it s abject. ' 
Was it— What! 

Crouching there, 

Black and horrid 
In that guise. 

Singing low, 

That sweet love- note 
Whose replies — 
O, so oft, 

She had echoed 
Back to one 



UOMAX/.A. 19 

In tlie shadows 
Of that garden 
Of her home. 

Not again 

Sang the InrdHng. 
He was done. 

And the stars 

Crept towards morning, 
One b}' one. 

Closed the eyes, 

(Strangel\' heavy,) 
VVatcliing. Hush! 

tSomcthing mo^'es 
Like a siuidow 
In the dusk. 

Slow and still, 
On the amljer 
Colored tioor 

It moved on 

Till it stood 
Within the aoor. 

Then she heard 

One low whisper 
Of her name. 

And the arms, 

Strong to save her 
Clasped again 



HOMANZA, 

Tlieir iost prize — 

And they hastened 
Out of sight — 

While there hung 

Friendly darkness 
Of the night- 

O, the sea> 

Gaily tossing 
Chanted glad. 

And the night 

Wrapped a storm cloud 
O'er their head. 

Foam and spray 

In white wreathing^; 
3Iarked her dress. 

But the storm 

Brought no terror; 
She was Idlest. 

When the shore 

Once was landed, 
AVhat mad words 

Of her love, 

And her joy, 
Zephyrs heard. 

And Avith smiles, 
And with tears 
All together, 



noMAyzA. 21 

!She retold 

All her woes 
And her capture. 

AT HOME. 

Where the soft hues of summer skies 

Climb to the snow of peaks, 
Rising 'gainst etherous crystalline 

Which of the cold just speaks; 
Where golden streams, hemmed in with vines 

Matting from limb to limb, 
Kiss oft' rich flowers and bear them on 

To distance golden dim 
Where iiut to breathe and see is such 

Of raiiturc, none would care 
To toil or think. But only look 

On mystic beauty there, 
While yet the earth, with dews still blest, 

Grew fragrant in earliest dawn. 
Out from the numerous palaces 

Marshalled a gorgeous throng, 
Where lay the chain of iulocked lakes 

From summit down to sea. 
The cortege paused and entered boats, 

Which soon moved .swift and free, 
In the cool breeze, with silver .sails 

And man}^ Hoatmg flags 
The crowded fleet climbed up the height 

And gleamed among the crags, 
Where forms of dark and threatening rock 



22 nrnuxzA. 

Loomed over the glassy waves. 
From higher cliffs the chill of snow 

Crawled down. A brightening my 
Over the heights, a pinken glow 

Flushed. And in purple deep 
The shadows tied. The Ijrowns grew led, 

The mounts awoke from sleep, 
'Neath the cold moon, and yeHow fell 

Like airy cloth of gold. 
The sky puts off its chilling blue, 

Morn's radiant gates t' unfold. 

The shades swept into the vale. 

The blaze of orange suns 
Flashed on the silver sail, 

And the marriage rite begun. 
The robed prie.st in vestment gay 

Of 3^ellow and blue and white. 
Lighted the golden altar's urn 

With incense, and colored light. 
Carpets were spread of crimson flowers 

Braided with cunning care. 
Silent were all. Then Unelt the bride. 

In wondrous beauty there. 
A robe was hers of woven pearls. 

And over her head, where coiled 
Her hair, a shining coronet, 

In mesh of gold was foiled, 
About the taper, tawny arms, 

Weie twisted jewelled snakes. 



IIOMAXZA. 

Mung from tlie tint€t1, djiinty ear 

Diamonds of -wondrous weight. 
Long, dark lashes veiled such eyes. 

As dark, and soft, and wild. 
Captive make souls. And lips Mere hers, 

As if an angel smiled, 
Fi'om lake to lake, as time passed on 

In certain mesisured space, 
The riles continued. Gorgeous swept 

The fleet lo the last place. 
Just as the sun fell in the waves. 

Then tlie white moonlight fell 
rale and soft on the mystic fleet, 

Gilding the silver sail. 
Out from a thousand silver bells 

Chimed many a merry peal. 
And now a raft, (invisible,) 

The meteor's flare reveals 
Phantoms afloat, each one as fate 

Or pleasure led their wa}', 
Were sailing on the dark blue waves, 

Atliwart with moo-.i!;eamsgay. 
Out from the lake rose a fairy frame, 

A tower, etherial, white 
Ablaze were all the domes and spires. 

Illuming purple night 
Leaving the moonlight almost dull. 

After it burned away, 
The towers fell down to iishes, 

Closina- tlie bridal day. 



24 IWMAJSrZA. 

Thus at home, in their kingdom 

Fair and free — 
Leave the Queen— and the King 

Of early day. 
When we find, in the markings 

On some stones, 
Strange told tales, read and tell me 

Of these ones. 



-«fOf^«- 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 973 281 2 % 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




015 973 281 2 m 



